5 U.K. marines charged with murder in Afghan death

Oct. 14, 2012
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by USA TODAY

by USA TODAY

LONDON (AP) - Five Royal Marines have been charged with murder over a death in Afghanistan last year, Britain's Ministry of Defense said Sunday. They are the first British troops to be charged with murder in Afghanistan since deployments began in 2001.

The five are among nine marines arrested - seven on Thursday and two in the last 48 hours. Four have been released without charge.

Officials have said the incident involved an "engagement with an insurgent" in Helmand province, where the majority of Britain's 9,500 troops in Afghanistan are deployed. They say no civilians were involved.

The Ministry of Defense said the cases had been referred to the Service Prosecuting Authority, which oversees military trials. The ministry said the suspects, who have not been named, were in custody.

The brigade believed to be involved in the incident, 3 Commando, was in the thick of the fighting with Taliban insurgents during its deployment last year to Helmand, which lies in Afghanistan's south.

British troops operate under rules of engagement, largely derived from the Geneva Convention, that dictate under what circumstances they are allowed to open fire.

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